DiNapoli discloses taxes; Wilson seeks extension

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s 2009 tax returns made public Monday show the Democrat’s annual income rose by just $29, as he guided the $129 billion state pension system out of recession.

DiNapoli’s opponent this fall, Republican Harry Wilson, said he sought an extension because he has investments that require reports not filed until October. His spokesman, William Mahoney, said the tax returns will be released then. Mahoney said the amount Wilson will pay up front with the extension hasn’t yet been calculated.

Candidates for statewide office typically release their income tax returns publicly so voters see how much they earned and where they have invested their money.

DiNapoli’s investments were primarily in tech stocks including AT&T and Comcast. DiNapoli reported $152,642 in total income last year including $147,495 in wages. He made $3,860 in charitable donations, the largest amount — $1,150 — to his Roman Catholic church in Great Neck.

DiNapoli paid $9,488 in property taxes for his two-bedroom condominium. That’s a rare decline in property taxes, from $10,041 in 2008. A DiNapoli spokeswoman said it was the result of a court victory by the condo community to show the property was overassessed, and therefore overtaxed. She said DiNapoli wasn’t part of the legal fight. He bought his condo about seven years ago for $459,000.

DiNapoli’s campaign said Wilson should release his tax returns now because DiNapoli sought greater disclosure of the activities of the office after he succeeded Democrat Alan Hevesi, who resigned in 2007 after he was convicted of misusing state workers for personal tasks including driving his ailing wife.